Dolphins Draft Priorities

Dolphins Draft Priorities

The Miami Dolphins go into the 2026 NFL draft with seven picks in the first 94, and eleven altogether.

With so many needs on the team, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan could just throw darts at the draft board and will likely come out with potential contributors.

But what about prioritizing what NFL pundits call the most important positional players, meaning, of course, quarterback, cornerback/safety, and edge rusher?

The Dolphins have Malik Willis on the roster, so for the short run and hopefully the long run, a pick at quarterback is not necessary.

What about choosing a cornerback, safety, or an edge rusher at the 11th and then again at the 30th choice?

Yes, I understand we can use help at offensive line, wide receiver, tight end, and defensive line, but is Sullivan going to prioritize or go with the best player available?

Peter Schrager from ESPN, a brilliant analyst and prognosticator, released his first of two mock drafts.

Schrager has Miami choosing wide receiver Carnell Tate with the 11th pick.

In Schrager’s mock draft, both safety Caleb Downs from Ohio State University and edge rusher Akheem Mesidor from the University of Miami were still on the board.

It will be interesting to see who Sullivan goes for in terms of positional importance with both of his first-round picks, at 11 and then again, at 30.

With 2026 being a wide receiver-rich draft, does Sullivan go for one of the top receivers to replace the loss of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, or does he go defense to fill other huge holes in the roster?

A solid argument can be made for whoever Sullivan chooses, given how many roster spots need to be filled, but since Jeff Hafley is a defensive-minded coach, I lean toward the top draft picks being on that side of the ball.